BILIOUSNESS, a popular term to express some affection of the liver, but in all prob ability it is frequently a condition of disturbed gastric and duodenal digestion, and having nothing whatever to do with the liver. In the article on bile (q.v.) the passage of this liver secretion into the hepatic duct and storage in the gall-bladder and subsequent emptying into the duodenum is described. When the stomach is inflamed, the inflammation usually extends a certain distance into the intestines and as a con sequence the mucous membrane of the common ducts also becomes inflamed and swollen. This prevents the free passage of bile into the in testines and therefore its important function in digestion is stopped or diminished. This re sults in further indigestion, and causes con stipation, and increased putrefaction of the in testinal contents results. Thus there is a chain of many links formed that results in headache, heaviness, bloating, constipation, foul tongue, foul breatht dark urine, and in severe cases mild jaundice. The entire series may have been set in motion by over-eating, or drinking alcoholic liquors, or deficient exercise, eating excessively of fatty (so-called rich) food, or other hygienic misbehavior. Any or all have
started the mild inflammation of the stomach or intestines, and the biliary flow has been dimin ished. But diminished functional activity of the biliary and pancreatic secretion due to congestion of the liver and pancreas produces similar symptoms as well as sometimes nervous prostration or, if prolonged, interference with action of the heart and arteries. The treat ment should talce into consideration the cause, and if the condition is obstinate a physician should be consulted. Rest, careful dieting, plenty of water, some mild laxatives, heat over the pit of the stomach, and hot water enemas, will usually right the condition. The free wash ing of the bowels and the laxative will usually cure the symptoms of poisoning, headache, and heaviness. Dosing with patent pills and teas and even so-called ahome remediess are to be condemned. Violent cathartics irritate the stomach, intestines and even the liver. While they empty the bowels and thus get rid of the poisoning symptoms, they leave behind or in crease the conditions which permit of further trouble. See AUTO-1NTOXICATION ; BILE; CON STIPATION; DIGESTION ; LIVER.